
How One Man Started Performing Magic for the World’s Largest DJs: Meet Josh Pele, “The Ravegician” – EDM.com
When Josh Pele travelled to Italy in 2019, he by no means thought he would uncover a profession as a touring magician performing for among the largest DJs on the earth.
Whereas strolling the streets of Milan, he got here throughout a store that had a deck of illustrated enjoying playing cards. So he began working towards a wide range of methods and performing for passing strangers on crowded streets.
Though Pele had no earlier magic expertise and didn’t converse a lick of Italian, he started to attract giant crowds. The expertise made him notice that he had distinctive expertise that might provide journey and alternatives to satisfy individuals from all walks of life.
After returning house to New Jersey, Pele set his sights past acting on public streets. He wished to discover whether or not or not the common language of magic might provide worth to his favourite practitioners within the music scene.
At the moment, Pele’s motivation, magic and methods have paid off in spades. He has now carried out for roughly 50 of the most important names in EDM, together with Martin Garrix, Kaskade, SVDDEN DEATH and Excision.
EDM.com lately sat down with Pele to study extra about his profession, which has taken off on a magic carpet journey.
EDM.com: Are you able to inform us extra about your magic journey and the way you began performing for among the largest names in EDM?
Josh Pele: Upon my return to New Jersey, I targeted my efforts on making movies on social media. I had watched examples of different magicians going viral on social media with their movies so I attempted getting my magic out that means. I actually tried to bang out the social media but it surely was an excessive amount of. I had overworked myself and it burnt me out. I really give up magic for some time. However then I bought provided a present at a membership and was inspired to get into the nightlife scene.
I’m very obsessed with home music, dub, techno, underground… I like it all. I’ve been round it since seventh grade. That’s once I realized, “Wow, I wish to attempt to do magic for my favourite DJs.”
I used to be impressed to go to Electrical Zoo Cancun in 2021 with my playing cards to carry out for individuals within the crowd. The occasion organizers observed me and requested me if I used to be a magician. They put me on the spot and mentioned, “Do some methods proper now. If they’re good, we’ll see if we are able to do one thing.” I carried out my prime two methods and so they cherished it. I used to be invited backstage I bought to do magic for Kaskade, Midnight Youngsters and SVDDEN Loss of life. That made me notice that my magic works at festivals and I can add worth to those kind of occasions. I additionally actually love these artists.
EDM.com: Why do you assume your magic works at EDM occasions?
Josh Pele: I assume my expertise performing for individuals in Italy with out realizing the language has helped me develop methods that may be carried out on loud dance flooring while not having to say a phrase.
I like methods that use props which can be personalised to the rave tradition. For instance, I don’t pull quarters out of individuals’s ears. As a substitute, I take vape pens out ravers’ fingers and pull them out of their ears. I prefer to make illusions with well-liked tattoos and naturally, card methods. If I do know I’ve the possibility to carry out magic for a giant DJ upfront, I attempt to customise my methods to them. For instance, I stunned Excision by putting an “X” in his closed fist.
EDM.com: What’s your favourite a part of rave tradition?
Josh Pele: Rave tradition is understood for gifting and other people have given me quite a lot of items in return. I hold getting invited to attend extra occasions, be launched to unimaginable headliners.
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EDM.com: We met you backstage at Electrical Zoo Cancun and cherished watching the magical leisure you had been offering to DJs. What occurred after this journey?
Josh Pele: After Cancun, I returned house to New York and began going to the Brooklyn Mirage, which throws raves each evening. I began attending to know the door workers, who inspired me to hold round with them on the backstage entrance. They stored saying, “Good issues would possibly occur.” Time and time once more, good issues occurred.
EDM.com: Who’re the highest 5 favourite artists you have got carried out for on the Brooklyn Mirage?
Josh Pele: It’s exhausting to decide on, however I might say Martin Garrix, Excision, NGHTMRE, Kompany and Kill the Noise.
EDM.com: What parallels have you ever observed between working towards magicians and working towards DJ’s?
Josh Pele: I feel to achieve success in each crafts, it’s vital to not take conventional routes or be afraid about messing up a trick or efficiency.
I’ve undoubtedly tousled methods. However these occasions once I’ve tousled have helped me develop new methods on the spot. Being a magician forces you to improvise and develop new methods you by no means knew you had. I’ve a lot appreciation for the improvisational expertise of DJs that tour and carry out on the biggest levels on the earth.
EDM.com: What recommendation would you give to anybody aspiring to carry out within the leisure business?
Josh Pele: The vital factor is to remind your self that you just don’t have to really feel you’ve reached a sure degree to be able to carry out. Simply exit, do it, be assured, categorical your type and good issues will occur.
I feel those who capitalize on moments are these that may be probably the most profitable. Follow is vital however when you apply your entire life and commit your self to conventional years of coaching, you’ll be able to miss out on alternatives.
EDM.com: What have you ever performed to construct your fame as The Ravegician?
Josh Pele: The extra content material I put on the market, the extra intrigue has developed. I all the time attempt to movie my methods and seize reactions. It’s useful dwelling near New York as a result of it’s simple to attach with quite a lot of touring DJs that introduce me to different DJs
EDM.com: A number of months in the past, we invited you to accomplice with us as a content material creator. We love watching your movies entertaining DJs behind-the-scenes and our viewers loves them too.
Josh Pele: It’s been very cool to go from a person with an thought of doing a brand new kind of leisure to assembly EDM.com, who is understood for his or her creativity and the number of content material they add to music festivals. I’ve adopted EDM.com for a very long time and it’s been a enjoyable improvement to now be working collectively and collaborating. I’m excited for all that is to return.
Comply with The Ravegician:
Web site: joshpelemagic.com
YouTube: youtube.com/joshpelemagic
Twitter: twitter.com/joshpelemagic
Instagram: instagram.com/joshpelemagic

